Entries by IFI

Toward a Financial Integrity Risk Management Program

This article explores the commonalities between AML, sanctions compliance, ABC, fraud risk management, and export control compliance programs and recommends that organizations consider using a holistic financial integrity risk management and compliance framework.

A Tipping Point

Learn how gen-AI is reshaping the industry and how tools like AskFIN, IFI’s gen-AI-powered financial crime assistant, are leveraging authoritative resources and privacy-first architecture to drive meaningful innovation.

Cold Turkey

Consumer spending over the holiday season is expected to top $1.66 trillion this year in the U.S. alone. This article describes five holiday season frauds to be aware of along with associated red flags to avoid being scammed.

The Sanctions Evasion Threat

It’s more important than ever for compliance officers to understand and recognize sanctions evasion typologies. In this article, we explore six of the most common techniques illicit actors use to evade sanctions.

How to be a Digital Asset Detective

Step into the role of a digital asset investigator. From tracing complex ownership structures to leveraging blockchain transparency, discover the tools and techniques that bring clarity to a sector often seen as cryptic. Follow along with our investigation into a digital asset business and come away with a step-by-step guide for uncovering hidden risks.

Side Quest

“Side quests” are initiatives that align staff motivations, interests, and experience with discretionary projects. They provide solutions to enhance staff engagement, performance, and retention, and are particularly valuable where resource constraints may slow promotions or pay increases, or where compliance tasks involve repetitive work.

Calibrating the Crosshairs

This article outlines a practical six-step process financial institutions can follow to implement export control red flags within their compliance program. They are referenced as a key requirement in regulatory expectations of financial institutions, which continue to increase in response to recent geopolitical events.

Unverified and Unsure

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security maintains and administers several lists that involve goods, software, and technology, governed by the Export Administration Regulations. The Unverified List is just one of these. What is the Unverified List and what due diligence obligations do entities that transact with parties on the Unverified List have?

Onerous Ownership

New U.S. beneficial ownership reporting requirements went into effect on January 1, 2024, obliging many small businesses to report to FinCEN identifying information about the individuals who directly or indirectly own or control 25% or more of the company. This article explores what you need to know as well as concerns company owners have expressed about the privacy, security, and regulatory scrutiny that accompanies the new regulations.